Spitting distance to Christmas
I’ve started saying “spitting distance” and also “I trust x about as far as I can throw it.” The latter phrase is fun, the former a little graphic.
Over Thanksgiving one of my mom’s friends that I was meeting for the first time mentioned that she gets this newsletter and that the extra crispy fries from Chik-Fil-A has been the most beneficial recommendation to her. Then in the last few weeks, more than the usual amount of folks have reached out to say they enjoy the newsletter, and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you.
It’s not lost on me that this newsletter would be about 15% as fun to write if no one was reading it, so thank you! I truly have a blast writing it, and I am looking forward to the next year of guest writers and fun finds. You are alway welcome to e-mail me back from this e-mail address, or leave a comment on the post, or otherwise get in touch.
If you would like to get me a Christmas gift, I can send you my Loves list from Sephora, or better yet, you can share this with a friend. I have a handful of Christmas cards left unassigned, if you haven’t already gotten one and would like it, fill out this form.
This sentence now has links to the 100th issue master spread sheet, my instagram, my Outdoor Voices referral link , and old issues of the newsletter.
Number One: Virgin River
Court records will demonstrate that I love Sweet Magnolias on Netflix because it is just so tender. But after about 12 of you dear readers, recommended I watch Virgin River, I gotta say, it’s Sweet Magnolia-tier. It doesn’t have the sweet female friendship that is the juice of Sweet Magnolias, but it does have flashbacks to a hot guy with glasses, so…
What Virgin River lacks in wackadoo Southern phrases in makes up for in illicit-farming drama!
I feel like it’s worth noting that feel-good TV shows were absolutely not my jam until this year. Something about 2020 made me want slower, more low-stakes plot lines.
Also worth noting that my mom originally suggested the show, but I am still 13 in my heart, so I ignored her until 11 other people were like, “watch the show!!” Sorry mom, you’re always right.
Number Two: Humidifiers
The central air and heat at our house doesn’t exactly reach my bedroom which means I rely on lil space heater in the colder months. Last winter my eyes got so dry that some days I was changing contacts multiple times, and then just giving into glasses by 7pm.
This year I bought a humidifier to try to get ahead of my dry eyes and skin, and it has made a WORLD of a difference.
I bought this model from Target and I just run it at night. I remember the humidifier we had growing up making my room feel muggy - and this one does not at all. In fact, other than the little vapor cloud, I would not be confident it’s even doing anything if my eyes weren’t so much better than last year. Plus I feel like my skin is taking to my routine better than it usually is this time of year. It’s just a little thing that helps make winter less miserable, which I am all about.
Number Three: Recycle those old tennies!
Upgrade your life and get some new tennies, and then recycle your old ones with Soles 4 Souls which gives you free shipping to donate them via Zappos. We love it!
Number Four: 10 and 2
There are only 20 episodes of Virgin River available and I hope you get to spend some extended time with loved ones over the next few weeks. And I would recommend playing the game 10 and 2 with them (or as Wikipedia calls it, Shithead).
Only, the way Wikipedia tells you to play this game is not the way I play this game, and I think the way I know is the best way, which I was going to describe to you in this newsletter, but it was taking too long to type out. Just come over sometime and we can play one round, and it’ll be snappy.
Anyway it’s a great game because it’s mostly luck, but a little strategy, and it’s super quick and easy to pick up, and you can play it the Wikipedia way, just use all the cards in the deck at once, it gives it more drama.
Number Five: We’re at mile ten of this half marathon
You know when someone says something off the cuff, but it sticks with you forever and you think about it all the time? That’s how I am with our Kamp Women’s director saying “We’re at mile ten of this half marathon, it’s just a 5k from here.” She then went on to talk about how with half marathons you usually train up to 10 miles, and then let your training kick in the rest of the way. Which is great advice that I have never followed.
I’ve said “we’re at mile ten of this half marathon” wayyyy more times than I’ve actually been at mile ten of a half marathon, but there’s something about it that puts a little fire in soul.
Anyway, as I’ve been thinking about this year, and COVID times, and whatever other muck we’re in, I’ve been thinking, “It’s mile ten, stick to the training, the finish line is in sight.”
Hips forward, shoulders back, mask on, one foot in front of the other, it’s just a 5k from here.
Bonus: Carhartt Beanies
Will you look a little basic? Sure. Are they great for people with big heads? You bet your bottom dollar.
As promised, here’s the link to Ticket to Ride.